OB really susceptible to crosswinds?

[MNOutback]

Swap up to a thicker rear sway bar. It really cuts down on the crosswind drift. Very easy job.

[DieselOx]

I had my toe in set to 0.00, and it totally fixed the problem. It still gets rocked by the wind, but I can feel it in the wheel first, like every other car. This lets me respond without thinking before I get that "it's off on its own again feeling". The dead center feel is almost totally gone. It still won't return to center all the way but its better.

[SubiTank]

I'm confused. Is OP talking about his pre '13 OB or in general?
I can attest that '10 - '12 OB models were quite susceptible to cross winds.
However, '13 model I drive, handles like a completely different vehicle. It is no less stable in cross winds than an average sedan. Subaru did some improvements to the suspension and the vehicle height is a tad lower than pre '13 OB models.

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by ckhbuy

Yes, the sway in big cross winds was my chief complaint as well for 1.5 years. I upgraded to a 19 mm rear sway bar last week and I just can't keep from smiling now on the turnpike. Doesn't eliminate it 100%, but boy, what an improvement! Wish I'd done it 1.5 years ago. Give it a shot!
christopher

Add the 26mm front sway bar from the 2013 and you will smile even bigger. The 19mm RSB helped the crosswind issue alot, but the 26mm front has eliminated it. Much more planted on the highway.

[mooble]

Originally Posted by SubiTank

I'm confused. Is OP talking about his pre '13 OB or in general?
I can attest that '10 - '12 OB models were quite susceptible to cross winds.
However, '13 model I drive, handles like a completely different vehicle. It is no less stable in cross winds than an average sedan. Subaru did some improvements to the suspension and the vehicle height is a tad lower than pre '13 OB models.

Nope, it's a '13 Limited 3.6r. If the '12 was worse, I can't imagine driving it on a windy road. The handling and grip are amazing for a wagon/SUV, but this thing weaves like a snake in crosswinds. I guess I've driven about 20 different cars in my life and none have blown around this much. The larger SUVs and trucks I have driven have enough weight to keep them planted. The cars sat low enough that the winds don't blow them as much, though my lightweight '88 Civic hatch could blow around a bit. Still, I wasn't fighting the steering in the Civic like I do in the OB. The OB has the unfortunate combination of height, fairly low weight, and steering that doesn't track straight. This made it a literal handful on the highway.

[benamin]

Sounds more like an issue with those Stock Continental tires. I have had them OEM on a few vehicles and they sucked then, it doesn't appear they have improved much.

[rico567]

Nice that the larger sway bar reduces the problem, but given he ærodynamics of the vehicle it all comes down to not being able to fool physics, I don't care what tires are on there. Weight obviously matters, given several posts- all one has to do is observe large tractor-trailers in a crosswind, and it's easy to tell which ones are under load and which ones are deadheading.

[subiesailor]

Some might read this forum and get some crazy ideas

Sail Car - YouTube

Sail Car - YouTube

LOL

[subiesailor]

Some might read this forum and get some crazy ideas

Sail Car - YouTube

Sail Car - YouTube

LOL

[Cobalt]

My outback is probably right at the top of the list for being the worse vehicle I have driven in the wind.

Today we had probably 15-20 mph winds with gusts maybe to 30 and I was blown all over my lane, the worst part about it was I was passed by a smart car and I jumped over behind it and that little short wheel based car was planted firmly in the center of the lane.

I have driven all kinds of lifted vehicles that were never effected by the wind like my outback is so I'm not buying that it is due to having a taller then standard car profile.